Tuolumne River Rafting Details

The Morning of Your Trip:

The 1, 2, and 3-day trips all meet at 8 am in Colfax Spring which is 15 miles east of Groveland, CA, on Highway 120 and 15 miles from Yosemite National Park’s Crane Flat entrance. Currently, Due to all the rain in 2023 the normal access road is currently being repaired. Guests are asked to walk downhill to the river, unless physically unable to do so. It is a 2.75 mile 45 minute hike to the launch location. Once the road is fixed, we’ll take a scenic drive down Lumsden Road, deep into the Tuolumne Canyon, where our guides, rafts, and gear await.

1-Day Tuolumne Trip

For those seeking a full day of excitement, one-day Main Tuolumne trips cover all 18 miles of thrilling whitewater in a single day. This trip is go, go, go. After a river side river orientation, everyone sets off for a day of fairly continuous paddling. Along the way, you’ll take a break for a lunch stop, giving you a chance to relax before diving back into the rapids. This adventure wraps up around 5:30 PM back at your cars, leaving you with a full day’s worth of unforgettable river memories.

2-Day Tuolumne

If you’re looking to balance adrenaline with relaxation, a two-day Main Tuolumne trip is the perfect choice.

Day one on the river takes us through exhilarating sections, including the legendary Clavey Falls. We’ll pause for lunch before tackling the falls and then set up camp along the riverbank in the afternoon. In the evening, unwind on a sandy beach while our guides prepare a delicious riverside dinner. Enjoy the beauty of a starlit sky and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the river.

On day two, after a hearty breakfast, we may take a morning hike before resuming our journey through Class IV+ rapids. With a lunch stop along the way, we wrap up at Ward’s Ferry in the afternoon, shuttling back to Colfax Spring by around 5:00 PM.

3-Day Tuolumne: The Ultimate Getaway

Three-day Main Tuolumne trip provides ample time to explore the hidden gems of the Tuolumne River and its secluded side canyons. This adventure allows for a slower pace with more time for swimming, relaxing, and discovering pristine spots like the Clavey River and the Tuolumne’s North Fork.

Two nights camping by the river make this trip the ultimate way to unwind and recharge. Free time is abundant, especially with our “SUMMER FLOW” program, allowing guests to savor their time in nature. The extended stay is ideal for those looking to reconnect with family or friends while we handle all the details.

Directions and Meeting Time

Trips meet 5 minutes west of Buck Meadows at 6:00 am (unless otherwise noted). The site is about 3.5 hours from the Bay Area, 1.5 hours from Manteca, and 7 hours from Los Angeles. For those traveling from Yosemite Valley, it’s a quick 50-minute drive from the valley floor. If arriving by private plane, local pickup can be arranged at the Pine Mountain Lake Airport.

Cell phone coverage along Highway 120 is limited, so have a map and directions handy.

Meals

Meals are fresh and high-quality, prepared by our guides with expertise their in-house chef, Armando. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day, with snacks and drinks provided along the way. Guests are welcome to bring their own beer, wine, or other evening beverages (please avoid glass, except for wine bottles).

What to Bring

Required Gear

• Wetsuit (provided)
• Swimwear or shorts
• Synthetic T-shirt or sun shirt
• Closed-toe shoes (no sandals)
• Hat with visor
• Sunglasses with a strap

For Cooler Weather

• Wool or synthetic layers
• Rubber splash jacket (provided in cool weather)
• Wool or neoprene socks

Warm Weather

• Lightweight long pants or long-sleeve shirts are optional for sun protection

Overnight Packing

Guests will receive a dry bag to store personal belongings. Suggested items include a sleeping bag, air mattress, comfortable clothing, head lamp (with red light), toiletries, extra shoes, and sunblock. Tents and sleeping gear can be rented.

Optional Items

• Rain jacket
• Fishing gear
• Journal
• Extra drinks for camp

Price Includes

Outfitter provides all the  group camping and river related safety equipment, along with plenty of fresh food, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. However you will need to rent or supply your own tent and sleep gear. Transportation to the put-in point and take-out point is included.

Weather

April and May have cooler temperatures (average high 84°F, low 50°F), which require extra layers, but allow for longer hikes. June through August are the hottest months to raft Utah with temperatures ranging 95-101°F. As the rafting season winds down in September and October you can expect cooler weather, with highs averaging 89°F and lows around 53°F.

The Boats

On the Tuolumne, guides either run 15 ft oar/paddle combination rafts with typically four to six paddlers. The guide uses oars making it easier to control the angle of the raft while the paddlers provide the power to the raft. On multi-day trips paddle rafts are also sometimes used where everyone including the guide uses a paddle making teamwork paramount.

On two and three-day trips one or two gear rafts will join the party to take all the foot and gear to camp.

Group Size

Trips will have up to 4 oar/paddle rafts and a couple of gear rafts with no more than 20 guests in the group.

Camp Life

Whether you’re an experienced camper or it’s your first time under the stars, our outfitters are specialists in facilitating an enjoyable and relaxing camping experience. Everyone typically participates in setting up and breaking down camp. A clean, private camp toilet is set up first thing upon arrival at camp and it is the last thing to be dismantled the next morning.

Adventure Specialists

Since 1987, we’ve been connecting travelers to incredible water adventures worldwide. We partner exclusively with outfitters who share our passion for creating exceptional experiences. Our service is free to you—our commission comes from the outfitters, so your trip cost is the same as booking directly.  Contact us to explore additional schedules and offerings that may better fit your plans.